Is it okay to Suffer?
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ”
It is the materialistic mindset and culture that dominates the western world. The pursuit of many of us often is to gain the world. To have status and place in the world by acquiring the things of it. To desire money, possessions, property, information, and what the use of these things could mean for our future. Sadly, this is not just a Western mindset or the unbeliever's path to personal gain but the trending belief that backs many secular churches. Many Christian circles preach that God wants to prosper us materially and elevate us socially and economically. Moreover, many have foolishly believed that the purpose for God spiritually gifting us is to this end: That we would have a platform and make a name for ourselves to the glory of God. There are even those of us whose lives in Christ are lopsided in that we have known Him only one way. Some have only learned how to abound in Christ (increase for Kingdom purposes) and have often failed when having to endure suffering. Therefore, our idea as to what the day-to-day Christian life should look like appears lopsided. One who has not experienced various hardships or lack, and has not kept under one’s body on account of Christ and the proclamation of the gospel, and is fearful to do so, it then becomes easy to mistakenly put their trust in the much that they have gained and not in Christ. (See 1Cor. 9:23-27).
I am sure there is plenty of online content prepared to teach an inquiring world how to obtain it. Then once having acquired the job, the finances, the resources, and the relationships, there is a ton more material that one can find on how to maintain and increase your wealth. There may be less content online on self-help topics on overcoming difficulties to transform your life. However, if you are looking for content on how to rejoice in suffering, then perhaps you will look to literature on being optimistic. In spite of all the above, if you are wondering about what suffering for Christ can look like and whether you as a Christian should be experiencing it, those answers are best retrieved from the pages of scripture.
The apostle Paul writes: “And he [Jesus] said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2Cor. 12:9).
Infirmities could mean weaknesses of any kind, including but not limited to physical sickness or disease. Western culture, often seeking medical and therapeutic solutions to reduce or remove infirmity, might find it strange that the apostle glories in, or even takes pleasure in, his infirmities. It can also seem blasphemous to an overly spiritualized church that says we should not have infirmity. Moreover, it seems odd that the apostle Paul’s ministry came with the ability to heal the sick at times, yet he suffered such infirmities where he could not obtain healing himself though he sought the Lord for it. (See 2Cor. 12:7-8; Phil. 2:25-30). In the days of our Lord, the cries of the chief priests sounded like this last oddity. While Jesus was nailed to the cross they mocked him, saying, "He saved others; himself he cannot save." (Matt. 27:42).
Was suffering only for the apostle Paul’s ministry? Did Jesus suffer so that we would not have to experience suffering in this world? We learn that suffering is not limited to infirmities. In fact, when Paul was called to the ministry of the Lord, the Lord said, “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:16). In and for the Lord, Paul's suffering was allowed by the Lord and kept Paul humbly trusting in the Lord. Furthermore, perhaps some people who delight in the flesh regarded him less highly than he deserved, giving more importance to outward forms than is warranted, while true brethren saw his suffering as proof that he was undeniably an apostle of Christ. (See 2Cor. 2:7; Gal. 4:13-15).
What Paul experienced for Christ’s sake was not limited to infirmities, but reproaches, great disrespect from others (2Cor. 11:26); lacking food, drink, or proper clothing (v.27); persecutions (Vv. 23-25); and distresses (Vv. 28-29). Paul seems to understand that the amount of grace he had received from God was proportionate to the measure of the gift of Christ. Jesus who gave gifts to men, to Paul was given the call to the apostleship long before he gave him the title and ministry (See Eph. 4:7-12; Rom. 1:1-5; Acts 26:15-18). Furthermore, the Lord made clear to him that although Paul suffered he received an adequate amount of grace, that in weakness God would be able to accomplish all that He desired to do on the earth through Paul’s life. In fact, seemingly the power of Christ was more active in and through Paul’s life when he was in weakness (See 2Cor. 12:9-10).
The Christian churches in the west have acknowledged the reproaches, the persecution, the distresses, the poverty that many of our brethren experience around the world for the sake of Christ. Churches engaged in overseas missions have sent out their missionaries who have returned with testimonies in that while they saw many experiencing so much suffering, what joy they have, what confidence, what contentment, what peace, and what power our brethren enjoy in the Lord. It can be said that the Lord has given them grace sufficient for them to stand up underneath such suffering. Where is this grace for the Western church? We today may have heard about it from past revivals or even having seen grace being poured out only sporadically, temporarily, or not at all? Or in our personal walks, we have suffered affliction, have recognized strength in ourselves as a result of suffering, and only sometimes grace in the midst. Where is this grace for a wealthy Western church? Well, where is its suffering?
It is a privilege to be counted worthy to suffer for His name's sake. We have been given the opportunity to believe in Christ and to suffer with Him (See 2Tim. 2:11-13). However, we will not all suffer from the same conflicts Paul experienced in propagating the gospel of Christ. Paul comforted the church at Philippe that they share in his sufferings, as Paul also shares in the sufferings of Christ (See Phil. 1:27-30; 1Pet. 4:12-14). If we belong to Christ, then daily, we too will experience suffering while in this world. In the way of self-denial, refusing to yield to our own will, refusing to agree with every thought, and refusing to be governed by our feelings, we have been called to suffer for Christ's sake (See Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:7-8; Lk. 9:23-25). All in Christ are called to this, while few are required to sell or forsake all (See Mt. 19:27-30; Mk. 10:17-22; Mt. 4:18-20; 1Cor. 4:9-13). For this reason, apostles, today’s missionaries, and all who endure similar persecution as they herald the gospel should be held in high regard.
We have been promised an abundant life, not in the material things we possess, but in the Lord who possesses us. We can abound in fruitfulness to the glory of God the Father (See Jn. 10:10; Jn. 15:8; Gal. 5:22-24), and we can rest secure knowing that the Father has us right where He wants us because much fruit grows in tropical climates. The Western church will experience such abundance of grace through its standing faithfully (not sinfully) amid existing and coming adversity. We are not to desire power, expect persecution, and yet hold off on individual and collective faithfulness. Our God is long-suffering, not stupid. He will lay what is ours to our charge if we refuse to walk in obedience to Christ. Choose today whether you wish to suffer for the good deeds you have done, thereby securing an eternal reward, or for the evil we have committed against Him, because choosing not to suffer at all is not an option. Are we carnal Christians? Liberal Christians? Part Christian, part Hindu through our yoga? Don’t shoot for normalcy but seek irregularity. Make haste remove that other eye, cut off that other hand, abnormality in the eyes of the world is agreeable in the eyes of God in whom you have been called to suffer. Being in Christ, suffer without those things that appease the flesh as it daily makes war against the faithful Spirit. (See Matt. 5:29-30; Gal. 4:9, 5:1, 16-17; 2:17-21).
